Press Releases
Washington, D.C. — Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 1048, the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act, legislation that protects the integrity of higher education from foreign influence.
“Foreign influence in our nation’s colleges and universities poses a serious risk to our national security,” said Rep. Webster. “America’s higher education institutions should be free from foreign coercion and put the education of our students first.”
H.R. 1048 requires foreign donations, contracts, and ownership stakes in higher education institutions to be transparent. It also places restrictions on institutions from engaging in contracts with foreign entities of concern unless a national security waiver is granted, proving that the partnership benefits American students and upholds U.S. economic and security interests.
“I’m pleased that this bill includes an amendment with language I introduced to restrict Hong Kong, Macau, and any other special administrative region within the People’s Republic of China. This closes a critical loophole that the Chinese Communist Party has exploited to obscure its influence.”
“Foreign influence in our nation’s colleges and universities poses a serious risk to our national security,” said Rep. Webster. “America’s higher education institutions should be free from foreign coercion and put the education of our students first.”
H.R. 1048 requires foreign donations, contracts, and ownership stakes in higher education institutions to be transparent. It also places restrictions on institutions from engaging in contracts with foreign entities of concern unless a national security waiver is granted, proving that the partnership benefits American students and upholds U.S. economic and security interests.
“I’m pleased that this bill includes an amendment with language I introduced to restrict Hong Kong, Macau, and any other special administrative region within the People’s Republic of China. This closes a critical loophole that the Chinese Communist Party has exploited to obscure its influence.”
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